Quantitative Contrast Sensitivity Function and the Effect of Aging in Healthy Adult Eyes: A Normative Database.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We sought to establish normative quantitative contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) values in healthy adult eyes and investigate the effect of age on qCSF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Healthy eyes underwent qCSF testing (adaptive sensory technology) and Snellen's visual acuity (VA). Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects multivariable linear regressions were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 334 eyes (290 patients) with median age 61 years (range 21 to 88) had qCSF values as follows area under the log contrast sensitivity function curve 1.18; contrast acuity 1.32; contrast sensitivity (CS) at 1 cycle per degree (cpd) 1.32; CS at 1.5 cpd 1.37; CS at 3 cpd 1.38; CS at 6 cpd 1.20; CS at 12 cpd 0.69; CS at 18 cpd 0.22. Linear reductions in qCSF values per decade of age ranged from -0.02 to -0.07 vs 0.01 for visual acuity (VA). Age had a greater effect on the majority of qCSF values than VA (beta standardized regression coefficient ranged from -0.309 to -0.141 for qCSF values vs 0.177 for VA). CONCLUSIONS: We herein establish a normative database for qCSF and quantify the effect of age on qCSF values, adding evidence towards the validation of qCSF as a clinical endpoint. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55212-219.].